THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Town of Mooresville; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Town contribution

Multiple medical plans including an HＳ

Town-paid life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness Incentive Program

EAP 24/7

Volunteer Time-Off

Vacation days upfront

Holidays generous

Floating Holiday

Bereavement leave

On-site clinic

Down payment assistance

Pet insurance

Gym reimbursement

Job summary

Town of Mooresville is seeking a Therapeutic Recreation Program Specialist to plan and supervise inclusive recreation services for residents two and older, including coordination with the Special Olympics Lake Norman program. You will work under the Athletics Activities Manager to build partnerships, ensure safety, and deliver accessible programs.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Therapeutic Recreation or related field, plus several years of experience in disability recreation programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation and Leisure Studies, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in recreation programming for people with disabilities.
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement a comprehensive program of therapeutic recreation for residents two and older.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of therapeutic programming.
• Manage Special Olympics Lake Norman programs: registration, athletes, volunteers, Unified Sports.
• Ensure safety through best practices and procedures.
• Hire and supervise staff and volunteers; assign duties.
• Develop partnerships with community agencies.
• Prepare monthly programming, cost recovery, and revenue reports.
• Monitor finances, inventory, and supplies.
• Coordinate ADA documentation for CAPRA accreditation.
• Train staff on serving people with disabilities.

Skills

Program planning

Staff supervision

ADA compliance

Partnership development

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation and Leisure Studies, or related field

Job description

About the Town of Mooresville

As one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing communities, the Town of Mooresville combines innovation, teamwork, and community pride to deliver exceptional public service. Mooresville is a thriving, connected community dedicated to providing outstanding services that foster inclusivity and vibrancy for all. Guided by our PAC-IQ values (People, Agility, Communication, Innovation, and Quality), we empower employees to collaborate, think ahead, and make a meaningful impact every day.

Work alongside a team committed to innovation and collaboration, creating positive change for the community!

Why Join the Town of Mooresville

We value our employees and invest in their success with a comprehensive total rewards package. Our benefits are among the most competitive in the region and include:

• 5% Town contribution to your 401(k), no employee match required
• Choice of threemedical plans, including an HSA plan with Town contributions
• Town-paid life insurance at 1.5× annual salary
• Fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage(up to $8,000 per month)
• Wellness Incentive Program, with Adiscount of $240 annually on medical premiumfor participation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering24/7 mental health and work-life support
• Volunteer Time-Off: 16 hours per calendar year to volunteer at any approved agency or organization
• Vacation Leave: Starting 2026, new hires receive 14 vacation days upfront!
• Holidays:Employees accrue 13-14 paid holidays per year
• Floating Holiday and Wellness Day:New hires receive one Floating Holiday and one Wellness Day up front each year
• Bereavement Leave:Up to five days per occurrence for deaths within the employee’s immediate family
• On-site clinic for eligible employees and dependents coming in 2026!
• Additional perks include down payment assistance, pet insurance, gym reimbursement, and more!

About the Role

The Therapeutic Recreation Program Specialist oversees the planning, administration, and implementation of recreation programs and services for individuals with intellectual, physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Serving residents ages two and older, this position coordinates therapeutic recreation opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors while overseeing the Town’s participation in the Special Olympics Lake Norman program.

Under the general direction of the Athletics Activities Manager, this position supervises staff and volunteers, develops inclusive programming, builds community partnerships, and ensures programs are delivered in a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment.

• Plans, organizes, and implements a comprehensive array of therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of therapeutic programming and services.
• Manages multiple aspects of the Special Olympics Lake Norman area programs, including registration, athletes, volunteers, and Unified Sports participants.
• Develops and implements programming practices and maintenance procedures to ensure optimal safety.
• Oversees the hiring and supervision of subordinate staff and volunteers; assigns and monitors duties.
• Conducts research to identify programs of interest and evaluates program effectiveness and viability; makes recommendations for new programs or modifications of existing programs to meet residents’ needs.
• Serves as a liaison for the department’s ADA and reasonable modification representative.
• Works collaboratively with agencies to expand existing partnerships or create new ones.
• Prepares monthly programming, cost recovery, and revenue reports.
• Manages and monitors program finances, expenditures, inventory, and supplies.
• Secures all ADA-related documents required for the Department’s CAPRA accreditation process.
• Meets with parents and helps staff develop inclusive program participant plans for people with disabilities.
• Leads or assists with training staff on how to work with people with disabilities in a programming setting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation and Leisure Studies, or a related field.

• Three years of experience in recreation programming for people with disabilities.

• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification.

• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification.

Special Requirements

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification within six months of hire.